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SALT LAKE CITY — Three principals were honored for their leadership and dedication at the annual Secondary Principals of the Year awards Wednesday.
The Utah Association of Secondary School Principals presented the awards to:
•Paul Kirby, assistant principal at Hillcrest High School, Canyons District
•Robert Sonju, principal at Fossil Ridge Intermediate School, Washington District
•Scott Bushman, principal at Murray High School, Murray District.
State Superintendent Larry Shumway presented the plaques, saying the three men are "examples of the leadership that is so powerful in Utah."
Kirby, a PhD candidate at Utah State University, said he felt honored by the award since he's aware of many wonderful assistant principals throughout the state.
"I feel undeserving because I know the great work assistant principals are doing," Kirby said.
Susan Malone, principal at Hillcrest High, said Kirby is dedicated to education.
"Paul has committed his life to the education of all students," Malone said. "He is a man of high integrity. ... It's just been remarkable to have him in our school."
Sonju said the faculty, staff and students at his school are the ticket to his success.
"This is an award that is received for all of Fossil Ridge," he said.
Sonju taught special education for nine years and has been in administration for 12. He said he's passionate about teaching and still gets into the classroom. He went into administration because he saw it as an "opportunity to get together and create a vision and be able to impact all students in a school."
Bushman referred to his fellow administrators at Murray High School as "another part of my family."
He said he learns daily from the students who attend his school.
"I hope I'm able to do something for them," he said. "They're like the spirit of the school."
E-mail: mfarmer@desnews.com
